Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. Motorcycle Industry Provides Positive Employment Opportunities for the UK

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    The motorcycle industry is a vital employer in the UK providing thousands of jobs in a broad range of sectors across the country.

    Currently, the industry directly employs 65,000 people in more that 6,000 businesses, which is a greater level of employment that those employed in UK call centres, the market research sector, as taxi drivers and throughout libraries, museums and other cultural activities. (1)

    In 2008, the industry paid out more than £1.2 billion in wages and made total tax contributions of more than £1 billion.

    There is a wide range of opportunities for people to take employment in the motorcycle industry.  Distribution and retail is the largest single field of employment (20,380) and the sport and leisure sector employs around 10,000 people contributing a gross added value to the UK economy of £238 million per annum. 

    Other sectors offering work opportunities include; manufacturing, repairs , servicing and maintenance and other support services such as finance, marketing, publishing, training and couriers. Between them they employ almost 30,000 people, paying over £600 million in wages.

    Although there is a concentration of retail and distribution jobs (31% of the total), average wages are £18,800 across the whole industry and are significantly higher in the support services (£21,600) and manufacturing (£28,600) sectors

    Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented. " The motorcycle industry provides a significant financial contribution to the UK 's economy, generating added value of more than £2billion,  as well as acting as an important employer.

    "There are many fields of employment within the industry offering work opportunities for people from all walks of life whether they want to work in a practical, hands-on role or take a more customer service based job there is something for everyone."

    For more information about the motorcycle industry go to the website www.mcia.co.uk
    1) All statistics are from the survey - The Economic Significance of the UK Motorcycle Industry by GHK - February 2010

  2. Mind The Joint - Slippy When Wet!

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    Riders on the NI Bikers Forum have voiced concerns and are warning other riders of the hazard of new joints on the M3 Lagan Bridge in Belfast.
     
    According to Roads Service the bridge joints where replaced during June and August to ensure their continued high performance in coping with today’s traffic volumes.
     
    The joints appear to be fine in dry weather and an improvement to the “dips” prevalent in the previous joints, (which were only a few inches wide but created a slight jolt when ridden over), however the new joints are nearly 2 feet wide and riders have found that they cause their motorcycles to lose grip when these joints are negotiated in wet weather.
     
    While motorcyclists should treat these covers like any other hazard such as wet gratings, painted road markings, mud, leaves, diesel etc. riders should not have to deal with a hazard that appears to have been designed into the road infrastructure without taking motorcycles into consideration.
     
    While riders have written to the DOE Minister, Roads Service Chief Executive and their MLA, the joints remain a hazard in everyday use.
     
    It would appear in this instance that the Roads Service has not met three of its key objectives which we would assume include motorcycles.
     
    The questions which must be asked regarding the replacement of the bridge joints are:
    • Was there any consideration given to motorcycles in the placing and fitting of these covers?
    • Do these covers meet all required standards for installation in the roads infrastructure?
    • Are motorcycles included in any standard that is required for the use and fitting of these covers?
    • Will the Roads Service, either itself or any appointed contractor responsible for the auditing/purchasing/fitting of these covers, investigate the dangers that seem to be posed to motorcyclists and rectify any hazard?
    At present we are waiting for an initial response from The Department for Regional Development, responsible for Roads Service to find a solution to this “accident waiting to happen” and see what can be done.
     
    Read the full text and views and comments from riders 

  3. Lobby Your MP On Motorcycling Matters

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    The bmf is calling on its 80,000 members to join a mass lobby of Parliament on Monday the 8th of November as part of the Riders Are Voters campaign.

    The main objective is to raise the profile of motorcycling issues with MPs by showing that their motorcycling constituents have something to say. There are 650 MPs and roughly a third of them are new to the job so many will  have never discussed motorcycle issues before and neither will many established MPs.

    The bmf says that this is a golden opportunity for all motorcyclists, bmf members or not, to have their say on any motorcycling issue that is concerning them, from road conditions or bus lane use to the cost and complexity of getting a licence.  

    More details are provided in the briefing document below but it’s important to register now to secure your place. Rider registration is being co-ordinated by MAG on behalf of the RAV campaign organisations*. You can register by emailing [email protected]  or by phoning the Riders Are Voters office on 0800 9883193.

    *Riders Are Voters (www.ridersarevoters.org ) is a joint venture by the four main motorcycle organisations, the British Motorcyclists Federation, the Motorcycle Action Group, the Motor Cycle Industry Association and the Auto Cycle Union and they have a day where ordinary motorcyclists can meet their MP in the place where MPs works. 

  4. LET THE THUNDER ROLL !! Wotton Bassett - Mothers Day Ride (The ride of Respect) 2011

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    Message from the organisers:
     
    We have been inundated with emails and calls, asking when registration will open, hopefully this will clarify, albeit an exact date is still unknown. Here we go again its edging nearer to registration for the Mothers Day Ride, which will be re-branded the "Ride of Respect".
     
    Registration as we have said will open this month, probably towards the end, however we can now confirm that the donation price will be £10 per bike, to include where appropriate a pillion passenger. We know that the police will try and call registration, so keep an eye on our site from Monday 25th October onwards, let's make it as big as we possibly can.
     

  5. Dramatic end to season for SGR Racing

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    Dan Moreton aboard his SGR Racing Honda salvaged a 20th place finish during the final round of the Speedyretail.com 125GP British Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire. 
     
    The team worked hard over the weekend to set the Morpeth based SGR Racing Honda up for the undulating circuit. The changes in gradient were causing some concerns compared to the flat nature of Silverstone last time out.  

    Qualifying in 28th place left Moreton with a lot of work to do once the lights went out. He made a cracking start but unfortunately a first lap crash unfolded in front of him and he had to take to the escape road. This left him right at the very back of the pack of 35 riders. 

    Moreton settled into his race and picked off as many riders as he could during the 10 lap race, coming home in 20th place thanks to his efforts. 
     
    Moreton said:“After scoring points at Silverstone I wanted to do the same again but after the first lap incident it was going to be a tall order. I’m pleased with the progress we made this weekend; we learned a lot which we can take forward to 2011. I think we’ve done a good job considering we have only been working together for the final three rounds.” 

    Team Manager Steve Kinghorn said:“It’s been a good weekend and has helped get us set-up for next year. We are thrilled to have product supportagain from Power Bar; we are pleased to have their assistance. Dan worked really hard all weekend giving us great feedback so we could improve the bike even further. I’d like to thank everyone for their support this season; we really appreciate it and are looking forward to our 2011 season.”